Teacher's aide tosses autistic child into wall, deputies say

Jacqueline Zuniga, 38, faces child abuse charges

A teacher's aide at Pine Ridge Elementary in Clermont was accused Friday of abusing an autistic child.

Witnesses said Jacqueline Zuniga, 38, became upset because the child was hitting and pinching her on Tuesday.

According to a news release, a witness saw Zuniga grab the child's fingers and bend them back. She was heard saying, "You hit me, I hit you," and "My parents didn't hit me, so you're not going to hit me."

Zuniga is accused of picking up the child by an arm and a leg and tossing him into a wall, causing a cut on his head.

No one answered the door at Zuniga's home Friday night, but neighbors said the family keeps to themselves, but they were shocked to learn of the allegations because she has two children of her own.

The father of the victim is glad Zuniga was arrested.

"I wanted this teacher to get punished. I called the detectives. I've been trying to see what they were going to do, but I'm so happy she is being punished," the father of the victim said.

Zuniga faces a child abuse charge and bonded out of jail. She was suspended without pay by Lake County Schools.